Columnist M S Shanker, Orange News 9

The great Indi alliance crack-up

Politics is not merely about winning elections. It is equally about managing relationships, accommodating differences and building trust among allies. The Congress party seems to have forgotten this fundamental principle. The visible cracks appearing in the INDIA alliance today are perhaps less about the BJP’s political dominance and more about the Congress party’s inability to…

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Columnist M S Shanker, Orange News 9

Who is Sonam Wangchuk, and why is he suddenly a political icon?

The attempt to transform Sonam Wangchuk from a Ladakhi innovator into a national political crusader raises more questions than answers. More importantly, it exposes the hypocrisy of sections of India’s political opposition and the selective outrage of some celebrities and activists. Sonam Wangchuk first entered public consciousness not because of political activism, but because his…

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Columnist M S Shanker, Orange News 9

Spain’s crown, rightfully earned

Spain’s World Cup triumph was a victory for skill, discipline, and attacking football over theatrics and gamesmanship. Spain did not merely win the FIFA World Cup 2026 final. They restored faith in what football’s biggest prize is supposed to reward—the better team, not the better dramatist. The defending champions from Argentina arrived with all the…

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Columnist M S Shanker, Orange News 9

Shah’s July 20 challenge

The proposed protests at Jantar Mantar on July 20 is shaping up to be more than just another demonstration in the national capital. With a curious convergence of political forces—from Kashmir-based parties demanding restoration of statehood and constitutional provisions that were abrogated in 2019, to various activist groups like the newly formed Cockroach Party and…

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Columnist M S Shanker, Orange News 9

Safety before politics

The Strait of Hormuz is not a debating point on primetime television. It is one of the world’s most volatile maritime chokepoints, where a single miscalculation can endanger thousands of lives and disrupt global commerce. When governments issue advisories during periods of heightened tensions, they are performing their foremost constitutional and moral duty—protecting their citizens….

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Columnist M S Shanker, Orange News 9

Evidence cannot be denied

The courtroom is not a battlefield of faith. It is a forum where evidence, law and constitutional principles must prevail. That is precisely why the ongoing Gyanvapi dispute has become far more significant than a contest over a centuries-old structure. It is a test of whether scientific evidence will be respected when it challenges long-held…

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Columnist M S Shanker, Orange News 9

Viksit Bharat needs its Space pioneers

Bharat’s tryst with space has always been a story of doing the impossible with the possible. From carrying rocket parts on bicycles and bullock carts to becoming the first nation to land near the Moon’s south pole, Bharat has demonstrated that talent, determination and national will can often compensate for limited resources. Today, as Bharat…

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